Internal combustion engine



H. c. GRONBECK June 21, 1932.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Sept. 18. 1950 mvsmog vQKC. komsz'cx ATTORNEYS Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES HANS o. GRONBECK, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Application filed September 18, 1930. Serial No. 482,882.

My invention relates to improvements in internal combustion engines, and it consists in the combinations,constructions, and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide an internal combustion engine in which novel means is provided as a substitute for the usual crankshaft construction, whereby a maximum power efliciency is attained through 1 the medium of a relatively simple construction.

A further object is to provide a device of the type described which is constructed in such a manner that gears and the like are entirely dispensed with in connection with the valve operating mechanism, etc.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of an engine embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is an end elevation, and

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the piston connection.

In carrying out my invention, I make use of a base 1 provided with a post 2 and bearing elements 3. In the drawing, I have shown the base as being mounted upon a concrete foundation 4: having a pit 5 for accommodating a flywheel 6. The latter is mounted upon a shaft 7 which is supported by the bearings 3. A cylinder 8 is associated with the post 2 and is provided with a piston 9 having a rod 10 connected thereto. The piston is also provided with a push rod 11 having its outer end formed to simulate a pawl, which at certain times is disposed within a recess 12 in the periphery of the flywheel, as shown in Figure 1. The push rod is normally held in engagement with the flywheel through the medium of a spring 11 which may be connected with the piston. A lever 13 is operatively connected with the rod 10 and is pivotally mounted at l lupon one of a pair of brace members 15. One side of the flywheel 6 is provided with an elliptical groove 16 Within which a roller 17 associated with the arm 13 rides. 1 The shaft 7 is provided with a-cam 18'. The cam has contact with-a roller 19 associated with a bell crank lever 20 which is'pivotally mounted at 21 upon a lug 22 associated with the post 2.- The bell crank lever bears against a valve-stem 23. The latter is normally held in its closed position through the medi'um of a spring 24.. The bell cranklever is shownin connection with the exhaust valve in the present instance. The intake valve ordinarily may be operatedindependently of ai mechanical device, but it will be understood, however,

that the intake valve may besimilarly oper- '3 ated. The intake valve is indicated uponthe opposite side of the flywheel in Figure 2.

In operation, the flywheel rotates in a counterclockwise direction, as when viewing Figure 1. Thepiston-9 is shown at the completion of its outward movement; The push rod l'l ofcourse rotates the flywheel'6. The engine in-the present instance embodies: a structure whereinfo'ur' strokes are attained during each revolution of the flywheel and one power stroke during each revolution. During the operation of the device,"the outer end of the'push rod 11 is moved into the recess 12 and in proper timed relation with the explosion. 'As the piston is moving outward} ly,the push rod willof courserotate the flywheel 6; The gro'0ve 16 causes the'arm -13 to move the piston 9 in a'reciprocatorymanner. In Figure 1, 1 have shownthe groove Y 16 as having-an irregularlyformed'portion.

Thisportion is positioned" so that the roller 17 moves therethrough during the power stroke. This specific slot construction permits a quicker action of the piston during its power stroke. This feature increases the efficiency of the mechanism. In viewing Figure 1, it will be noted that the groove 16 is constructed so that one explosion is provided for each revolution of the flywheel. An important feature in connection with my in-. vention is the fact that the push rod 11 is positioned relatively far from the axis of the flywheel so that the push rod delivers a maximum power stroke. In addition to this, I have eliminated the usual crankshaft construction and provided a device in which the groove 16 may be formed for providing a variable number of power strokes during each of its revolutions.

Incidentals, such as spark plugs, carburetors, and the like, are not shown in the present instance. These devices are of course well known in the art and therefore require no detailed description. The ignition system will of course be operated from the shaft 7 through the medium of any suitable mechanlsm.

I claim:

1. A reciprocating engine piston comprising a flywheel having an irregular'groove in its face and an abutting element in its periphcry, a cylinder provided with a piston, a pivotally supported lever hingedly connected with the piston and having a portion disposed within said-groove, and a push rod movably connected with the. piston and arranged for engaging said abutting element during the power stroke of the engine. 2. A reciprocating engine piston comprising a flywheel having an irregular groove in its face and an abutting element'in its periphery, a cylinder provided with a piston, a pivotally supported lever hingedly connected with the piston and having a portion disposed within said groove, a push rod movably connected with the piston and arranged for. engaging said abutting element during the power stroke of the engine.

3. A reciprocating engine piston comprising a flywheel having a continuous irregular groove in its face and an abutting element in its periphery, a cylinder having a reciprocating piston, a bearing for the flywheel, a base rigidly supporting the bearing and the cylinder, a brace rod rigidly connected to the cylinder and the bearing, a lever being pivotally secured by the brace rod and hingedly connected to the piston and having a roller operatively disposed in the continuous groove, and'a pawlpivotallyconnected to the piston for engaging said abutting ele ment during the power stroke ofthe engine, said lever and said grooved flywheel coacting to continue the reciprocating movement of the piston after each power stroke.

r HANS C. GRONBECK. 

